Former Collingwood star forward Travis Cloke has some advice for the man currently playing his role in Mason Cox.

Cox has received criticism in the last fortnight for a lack of form and Cloke believes he needs to get himself into games early.

“I think what he does for the team is really good, but as a personal game, he’s not doing enough and I know he’d be upset and want to do more so I think he’s got to work on his ground balls,” Cloke told SEN’s Drive.

“Obviously he’s not winning aerial contests which is strange being his height and position, but he needs to buy into the small things of tackles, pressure, even if it’s trying to block for Jamie Elliott or Jordan de Goey, those little things will bring him into the game.

“Hopefully one of his marks sticks from there and he grows in confidence.”

Cloke feels Cox keeps his spot in the side because he plays a role for the team and does it well, despite the stats not reflecting it all the time.

“We’re always going to refer back to the good games and that’s last year the final against Richmond,” he said.

“We look at that and say that’s your benchmark. I think that was the pinnacle of Coxy’s game.

“We need to look at it differently and that’s why he’s still playing. He’s playing a role.

“If you look at his individual stats, you’d probably think he should get dropped, but what he’s doing for the side is very important.”

Cox will be looking for a big game tonight against West Coast at Optus Stadium.